RaphaJust another WordPress site2015-03-03T17:00:59Zhttp://pages.rapha.cc/en_US/feed/atomWordPressDavid Evanshttp://rapha.cc/http://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/double-stannards-22015-03-02T11:25:12Z2015-03-02T11:25:12ZStanding in the middle of a media scrum after Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a noticeably aggrieved Patrick Lefevere, manager of Etixx-Quick Step, complained that the day’s winner, Ian Stannard (Sky), had sat in the race’s “box seat” for over 30km – the implication being that Stannard only enjoyed the show, and hadn’t played a starring role. Lefevere’s lament doesn’t do justice to the Essex boy’s shrewd racing and raw power – nor does it acknowledge that even if Stannard had the box seat, it was Lefevere’s riders who booked his tickets, showed him to that seat, and all but paid his bar tab, too.

Stannard spent most the final 30km with three Etixx-Quick Step companions – Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra, and Stijn Vandenbergh. Between them, these three have won five editions of Paris-Roubaix, three of Dwars Door Vlaanderen, three Tours of Flanders, and no small number of Grand Tour stages and sprinter’s jerseys. As they traded turns, towing the remarkably relaxed Brit, the only question seemed to be which of them would grace the podium’s top step, and by how much of an advantage.

Sky’s captain had other ideas. His team had controlled the front of the peloton for most of the morning, eventually sending Luke Rowe up to the break once Wiggins and Eisel had both put in full shifts. The race then went into its usual phase of disorder and tumult, with groups separating and reforming every couple of kilometres. Eventually, Stannard followed the right wheels and matched accelerations until only he and the trio of Etixx riders were at the head of affairs.

The front group were kept honest by Sep Vanmarcke (Lotto-NLJumbo) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), who held the leaders within spitting distance for hours, with the ever-dangerous Zdeněk Štybar (Etixx-Quick Step) riding caboose. With this threat looming over their shoulders for so long, Boonen had to wait until the last 5km before making his bid for the win.

As Boonen launched himself up the right-hand side of the road, Stannard could be seen calmly moving through his gears, gradually increasing his pace and reeling the Belgian back in. Before regaining contact with Boonen’s wheel, Stannard started watching for the inevitable counter attack.

The counter came from Niki Terpstra, winner of last year’s Roubaix, and perhaps accidentally brought along team-mate Stijn Vanderbergh for the ride. Maybe Stijn had confused Stannard’s minor grimace for an indication of real suffering – if so, he’ll now know that this grimace is a semi-permanent fixture of Stannard’s face from February until early May, only making way for a smile during victory salutes.

Once again, Stannard worked through his gears, almost dropping Boonen in the process. Not wanting to wait for the next slug, Stannard took it on himself to make the next attack, benefitting from Terpstra’s immediate need for recovery and Boonen’s minor troubles with the pace. With 2.5km, Stannard and Terpstra were suddenly alone and in the lead.

After 30km in that box seat, Stannard had to work hard to keep his chasers at bay – now it was Terpstra’s chance to enjoy that box seat. The pair entered the final 500m side-by-side.

Neither is known for their sharp accelerations, but both make up for it with phenomenal top speeds. Their ‘sprint’ lasted a staggering 320m, and it was Stannard who came out on top, forcing a huge gear and sticking himself between Terpstra and the barriers even as Tersprta tried to unceremoniously close that gap by driving him across the width of the road.

Stannard won Omloop last year in similar fashion – a wholesome and old-fashion display of race-craft and power that reaffirms Stannard’s potential for Paris-Roubaix, and also the squad’s ability to deliver protected riders into the thick of it.

For many, the Omloop signals the ‘real’ start of the European road season, and winning it marks a rider out for special attention in the following, more renowned races. Winning here, as with all of Northern Europe’s early season races, is as much a test of guile and luck as it is of form and fitness. Stannard, known as Yogi to his team-mates, showed that last year’s back surgery hasn’t weakened him in the slightest, and he’s capable of out-smarting and out-fighting anyone in the peloton.

—

Ian Stannard’s Classic Kit

Stannard wore:

Pro Team Jersey: standard weight performance which is streamlined, robust and highly breathable

]]>1Ben Brownhttp://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/classics-competition-22015-02-27T23:02:35Z2015-02-27T10:56:00ZPlease note that entries close at 15.00 GMT on Saturday 28th February.

To mark the opening weekend of cobbled drama on the Continent, Rapha are offering the chance to win a signed Team Sky Replica Jersey. To win, simply predict the winning time at Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. We will be rooting for Team Sky, who will be fielding some strong contenders, including last year’s victor, Ian Stannard, who covered the 198km in 4hrs 49mins 54secs. Also in the mix on this year’s 200.2km course are Sir Bradley Wiggins and strongman Bernie Eisel. Five randomly chosen runners-up will also receive a Rapha Cap in the colour of their choice.

“There are days when you have better legs, and others when you don’t.”– Alberto Contador

As the European racing season sets off, Team Sky are proving how well off-season training went. Geraint Thomas won in Portugal – at the Volta ao Algarve – holding onto a lead established with an outstanding solo attack on stage two, finishing just three seconds behind Tony Martin in the time trial and carefully seeing out the remaining stages.Meanwhile, over the border, Christopher Froome was found to be in fine form at the Ruta del Sol. Stage four of the race in Andalusia saw Froome drop his rival – Alberto Contador – on the 20%-slopes of the day’s final climb. ‘El Pistolero’ looked pedestrian in comparison as ‘Froome Dog’ forged ahead to put 29 seconds between him and the Spaniard, giving him just enough to claim top spot and was the perfect riposte to Contador’s attack-and-win on Friday.

In gloomy conditions, the Team took control, with devastating work from Nicholas Roche, Peter Kennaugh (resplendent in his National Champ’s colours) and Basque rider Mikel Nieve. Happily for Rapha and Mr. Froome, the man from Nairobi was wearing his Merino Knee Warmers, specially flown in for the Grand Tour specialist. Before ticking off the final stage to take the overall victory, Froome had reflected:

“I came into this race thinking that, ‘I’m here to find my legs, test them, and see where I’m at.’ To have been able to win the stage and go into the race lead today is incredible.”

]]>0Rebecca Gosshttp://rapha.cc/http://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/festive-500-2014-winners-22015-02-18T17:32:38Z2015-02-10T16:00:09ZThe fifth year of the Festive 500 saw more riders than ever rise to the challenge of riding 500km on the eight days between 24th and 31st December.

More than 8,000 cyclists successfully completed the challenge and claimed their roundels, many pushing their own limits to ride further than they’d ridden before. Others simply took the opportunity of some time away from work to end their cycling year on a high.

The standard of entries this year was truly outstanding and prizes have been awarded under both new and established categories to recognise the variation and creativity in submissions. From striking photography and imaginative storytelling, to hand-drawn artwork and illustration, cyclists from around the world demonstrated what the Festive 500 means to them.

John Braynard and Boban Tradjkovski’s purpose-built website, salzburg500.com, was a clear winner for the grand prize this year. Showcasing the breathtaking photography captured on their journey, the website is dedicated to John’s and Boban’s Festive 500 adventures and tells the story of their rides in Austria, and also across the border in Italy, where they travelled to complete the challenge when Austrian weather threatened their plans.

Sera’s entry included a charming hand-illustrated notebook detailing her rides, routes, sustenance, and the clothing she donned each day. An accompanying film documented her ride preparation and what it was like tackling the Festive 500 challenge in the British countryside. Her father provided a birds-eye view of moments from her successful challenge attempt via a drone camera.

Sera’s documentation of her rides, in film and on paper, win her the new Rapha Women’s Brevet Jersey and Women’s Classic Bib Shorts or Classic Shorts

Ivan put a rather romantic spin on cycling 500km in the dead of winter. His film showed off some stunning Scottish landscapes that will no doubt inspire a few to follow in his tracks next year.

As well as documenting his discoveries with beautiful shots, Ivan told a fine story about how and why he chose the long journey from Edinburgh to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain, to complete his challenge.

Alexander documented his 500 kilometres in a subtle, light-hearted film about his rides in Russia. What stood out was a cheerful perseverance, seemingly at odds with the conditions he encountered.

Not only was the weather colder than average but Alexander also had to fit his rides in around work and family commitments. Almost all his mileage was racked up using commutes to and from work, riding on some pretty busy roads, with weather and daylight hours against him. He completed the challenge by topping up his commutes with one 200km ride to Red Square, in Moscow.

For embracing the spirit of the Festive 500, Alexander wins a Pro Team Softshell Jacket

Christian submitted a digital book containing striking black-and-white photography from his journey. Captured on some very snowy miles across stunning Bavarian landscapes, Christian’s rides looked incredibly scenic – especially when admired from the saddle of his 1920s French bicycle – complete with aluminium water bottles on its bars.

Christian’s photo essay of his rides through Bavaria wins him a Rapha Backpack

David journeyed from Colorado to California to complete his first Festive 500 , with his girlfriend Angie acting as support-driver. His blog deserves a mention, not only because it contains some great photography, but because David used the Festive 500 and the roads it took them both on, to propose to Angie and they returned home engaged to be married.

Mikael gets a mention because, as far as we can tell, his rides in Finland were completed in some of the coldest conditions experienced by any rider. Mikael embarked on his rides wrapped in many layers of clothing and took along enough mulled wine to stay warm and keep his spirits high.

]]>1Guest Authorhttp://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/the-pinhole-22015-02-11T12:31:08Z2015-02-10T15:09:43ZThe light blasts through the wet air and burns a hole on the black road. The eyes find it and strain to see the lattice of cracks and debris washing up at the edge of light and dark. For the next hour this pinhole of light is all that matters.

Moments ago the bike was a clothesline, legwarmers draped over the bars and a jacket on the saddle. Shoes, oversocks peeled down, by the rear wheel. Shorts and jersey heaped on the floor.

Down the apartment stairs and out the door. Snap snap into pedals, and the road heads up, through a neighborhood in Northwest Portland that’s yet to wake. The city abruptly gives way to the hush of the woods, whose great pines swallow both light and noise. Under the handlebar light, the heavy air is a river parting swiftly around the rider.

A car passes, giving feet of room on the right. What must the driver think of the lone cyclist whose only indication of existence from behind is a red taillight? Misguided, is probably what. Some mornings they are right.

The contrast between white and black is staggering. All that matters and all that will keep you safe is the globe of light in front of you, punching a pinhole through the dark. This is riding by feel and with an eyelash-thin faith that the drivers will see you and that there isn’t a wheel-eating pothole under the brief and passing blast of the light.

The beauty is gone from the rider in the dark. Where there is normally a heavy lean into a well-known corner there is now a creaky suggestion of a descent, riding on the hoods. The dark makes a stranger of the road, and it’s a constant strain to see the pores of pavement when the speed picks up.

The danger remains the charm. There is all-consuming focus on the blade of light ahead of the front wheel. Soon, the dawn will whittle away at the dark before work and the din of others will overtake our own measured breath and click-click chorus, but right now the morning belongs to only a few. One wonders what is beyond his precious swath of light but only briefly, because it doesn’t matter what is out there, not at all.

Somewhere after the first climb there are the inevitable thoughts. That you are out riding when no one else is. That you are going to win races and not get dropped because of this morning. That you are tougher than most because you are foolish enough to do this thing you are doing now, just you, floating down a dark, pavement river.

The pace comes up when you turn for home, because the clock ticks and ticks and the dawn is a slow wave breaking over the morning, pushing the rider toward the responsibility of daylight. The sounds of cars and a city awakening replace the whir of a rear hub. A man sweeps the sidewalk, and workers scrub the neighborhood’s bar tops. The waitress at the French bakery on the corner pledges to pull a tray of croissants from the oven soon. A small reward for the dark miles.

The phone buzzes. The early morning is now officially gone, and the light turned off, until the next time.

]]>0Joe Hallhttp://rapha.cc/http://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/sebastian-tarek-22015-02-06T16:49:52Z2015-02-06T16:49:52ZSebastian Tarek crafts bespoke shoes that are genuine works of functional art. His workshop and approach to his trade offer a distinct nod towards a bygone era, but prove that time is a precious commodity. We visited his place of work in Arnold Circus, east London.

So, is it correct to call you a cordwainer (a shoemaker)?
Traditionally a Cordwainer is someone who works with horse leather, making saddles and bags, though in a traditional sense they are still shoemakers. However, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about how to make a saddle…

How did you become a shoemaker?
At 19 I was bombing out of high school and came over to the UK from Sydney on a sports tour. I was watching Christmas TV at my family’s house in London and saw a Hans Chrsitian Andersen film and was inspired to become a shoemaker. I went back to Australia and took a vocational class. It was as I became more engrossed in learning the trade that my Grandmother told me my Great-Great-Grandfather had been a shoemaker and leather worker. I returned to London to study at Cordwainers, the leather working college, which is now part of LCF [London College of Fashion], and I became the most recent in nearly 18 generations of shoemakers from eastern Europe. I actually made a trip to Warsaw last year to the site of the workshop the last shoemaker descendant had. He vacated there around the turn of the 20th century. The first had been there since the 15th. It’s a pretty crazy history.

There are a lot of ‘artisans’ it seems these days, trying to ply traditional trades?
Yes, I think for many the true artisan thing isn’t actually a reality. All power to people who are working with their hands but I live and work here at my studio and it’s taken me a long time to learn what I do. It’s a multi generation thing that you can’t just pick up like a guitar. A lot of people suddenly decide they’re going to be a ‘craftsman’ but there’s a difference between being a professional and doing something vocationally. It takes a lot of time to master something like this, I don’t want to denigrate people who want to work with their hands though, it’s very gratifying.

You also teach shoemaking?
Yes but shoe design rather than shoemaking. I teach at the Royal College of Art, it’s the total antithesis to what I do here. Dealing with fashion students who have a very different idea of what the design of a shoe, or what a shoe is, to what I produce with my personal work. I’m a very traditional shoemaker and don’t use any of the tools that the footwear manufacturing industry uses to produce products. So when I teach we are looking at laser cut, 3D printed synthetics and materials for an entirely different approach. But that for me that is enlivening, a real escape from my usual work.

So what kind of tools do you use here in the workshop?
There are a number of permanent tools I have in the workshop that I’ve acquired over time, like edge finishing irons, lasting pinchers and my sewing machine. Knives, surforms and files are of course essential but they generally come and go. There are also a lot of traditional, specialist tools that aren’t manufactured so much anymore. For example I have to buy my rasps from Japan. 10 or so years ago you could go into any local DIY store and buy a horseshoe rasp.

There’s a lot of crossover with woodworking and shoemaking?
Well in that I work with wood and spend a lot of time finishing, yes.

What part of shoemaking is the most satisfying?
I love making lasts; creating something 3D, somewhat like sculpting, you know – creating that beautiful natural sweep of the foot. I love the process, getting lost in the act of making something that’s incredibly functional and beautiful. In the end I’m less concerned with the aesthetic of the shoe, I almost can’t see it anymore once the shoes are finished. I’m more focused on the finishing and construction, knowing that as long as these are right then it will look as it should. But it’s spending time if you want something simple yet unique; it’s a painstaking process.

What are the steps for constructing a pair of shoes?
I’ll measure the client’s feet, and then we’ll discuss what they want. Then I’ll carve the last and cut the pattern of the upper. This will then be fitted around the last and stitched together. The client will then come back for a fitting to make sure it’s a good match and then I’ll make any adjustments and finish the shoe by stitching the sole to the shoe itself.

You use some quite unique materials?
It depends on what clients want but I tend to work with a tannery in Northampton and one in Devon (that dates back to pre-Roman times) to source leathers for my shoes. I’ll use different types for different looks, textures, styles and finishes. I mostly use vegetable tanned leather but some of the more unusual breeds of leather can be French calf, German box calf and even stingray, although that is very hard to work with – I’ve actually resorted to having that laser cut rather than breaking multiple knives and needles.

You work for a lot of prestigious clients?
Bespoke footwear is very similar to Savile Row tailoring. There are a lot of freelancers all working for the same houses, each house with their own particular style. So when I work for other ‘brands’ I’m creating designs to their specifications.

And what about your own style?
My styling is pretty classic, but relaxed with understated colours. I try to make every pair unique to the previous and try different things like using an unfinished skin and polishing it into a very unique colour. I don’t like unnecessary details, like sometimes you’ll see 1001 one brogue punching holes (traditionally what defines a pair of brogues). A pair of my shoes will have my handwriting – a unique look – but will always be defined by the person I’m making the shoes for.

]]>0Guest Authorhttp://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/rapha-womens-ride-adelaide-22015-02-03T09:41:11Z2015-01-30T18:29:30ZShe’s matched her dress, heels and handbag perfectly, but it’s the strikingly crisp tan lines on her arms that really add the final touch to her outfit.

We’re at one of Adelaide’s top nightspots, enjoying a glass of wine. The Tour Down Under has the city full to the brim with cyclists; the professionals with their matching team kits and impeccable hair, the fans adorned in full team regalia, and women with crisp tan lines worn proudly like a badge of honour. Gone are the days when cycling events attracted only men. The women are here in full force. I’m standing in a restaurant with many of them. It’s the night before our women’s group ride and there’s some animated discussion about the following day’s riding; the climbing, the descents, the wildlife we might spot. These aren’t women who have been dragged along on a cycling holiday by their partners and husbands, these are women who love to ride.

Some have come from across the country, while others, like me, have come from around the globe. I’ve come only as far as New Zealand but there are riders here from Singapore, Japan, England and Germany. Some have been riding for many years while others are new to the sport. None of us are pros (although we might pretend to be while training by ourselves) but we all share the same passion for the bike, for getting out and exploring, for pushing ourselves just a little bit harder.

The next morning dawns clear and warm. I’m mentally checking off everything I need –shoes, kit, sunscreen, snacks, helmet, coffee. Definitely more coffee. Luckily someone had already thought this through as the departure point for the ride has the coffee flowing as we pull up. Introductions are made, friends reunited. There’s a small mountain of bikes leaning against the wall and still more women are rolling up. Impeccably stylish pink Rapha caps are distributed to mark the occasion. It’s smiles all round, some more nervous than others.

The route we have planned is a challenging one. We’re heading straight out for the hills. The train of riders stretches long down the road as we twist and turn our way out of the city toward the first climb of the day. It seems like only a few kilometres have passed before an 18% climb bares its teeth. Despite the alarmingly tough gradient, neat little groups of women are charging up, conversation only halting when it becomes a little difficult to breathe.

We discuss our favourite riding spots – from the Alps in Europe, to the flatlands of Singapore, to the remote far north of my own home turf. Local tips, gear selections, best (and worst) riding food, favourite bikes. By the end of the first climb I’ve added at least three countries and two bikes to my ‘must-ride’ list.

The road rolls on. The climbs around here are long but buttery. Whoever carved these roads did a good job. Everyone is in good spirits. There are words of encouragement, the occasional helping hand, and celebrations when the road begins to flatten out. A quick stop at the top of the longer climbs gives us some respite and a chance for everyone to regroup.

In the moments of quiet we contemplate the surroundings. Spectacular. From the top of the climbs we’re rewarded with sweeping views over the city and coastline below. Gum trees provide some shade and the smell of eucalyptus wafts on the breeze. I get overly excited by the sight of two large kangaroos sitting by the side of the road, close enough the touch. The Australians laugh at me.

After the climbs come the descents. Steep, twisting ribbons of tarmac. Our train of women fly down them. Pedal, float, lean, repeat. The smiles get even wider.

We roll through Belair National Park. Eyes darting between the road and trees as we hope to catch a glimpse of a koala. We had been lucky enough to spot one the day before. They probably heard us coming as they keep well hidden today.

The sky begins to darken, a few spots of rain. An unseasonably chilly wind rustles the trees. The last leg of the ride awaits. The pace quickens as we try to stay warm.

We’re hurtling down Windy Point. Twisting, turning, dropping toward the ocean. This road isn’t as smooth, and a few potholes and cracks in the surface add an extra challenge to an already fast descent. Remarkably, the clouds have blown over. A few sighs of relief. A flat sprint to the finish.

Finally, it’s there, the beach spread in front of us. The Rapha H-van is waiting and the boys have the coffee pumping. High-fives, hugs, grins. Every rider makes it to the finish. The stories of the day are recounted and plans are made to ride together again, next year definitely, hopefully before. Another espresso in celebration of a ride well ridden.

]]>0David Evanshttp://rapha.cc/http://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/nicholas-roche-interview-22015-01-29T11:54:53Z2015-01-20T11:59:09ZNicolas Roche signed for Team Sky in late 2014, coming on as a super-domestique who will slave away at the sharp end of the peloton for the team’s general classification riders, and as a stage-poacher capable of upsetting the favourites in hilly stages. Before all the training camps, team meetings, and racing, Nicolas travelled for an extensive session with Team Sky’s designers and developers, who fitted the new recruit for his racing and training kit – all in all, hundreds of garments that will keep Nicolas protected and comfortable as he plies his trade.

Rapha’s developers spend three hours with each rider, working their way through every aspect of the rider’s needs and preferences. We caught up with Nico as he trained with the team in Mallorca to ask him about his kit, the fit, and his plans for the year ahead.

The Irishman comes from strong racing pedigree, with a Tour de France-winning father in Stephen Roche and a cousin in the professional peloton, Daniel Martin.

—

You’ve been a professional since you joined Cofidis as a stagiaire in 2004. Did you know exactly what to expect from the fitting?
I had an a bit of an idea from conversations in the peloton. We have a good chat in the bunch, and it’s pretty common to find yourself talking about kit – what we like and what we don’t like, what works and what breaks, what looks good and what is embarrassing.

A friend gave me a Rapha jersey at the Tour of California in 2012, and it really impressed me. It wasn’t meant for racing – it’s something for a café ride, styled like a ‘70s racing jersey, made out of lightweight wool. The jersey was really special, just like our team kit.

There are a lot of choices in the fitting process, from simple points of style to bigger decisions about fabric weights and finishes. What do you look for in your kit, and how did you make those calls?
Well, what I’ve learnt in the past couple of seasons is that there isn’t much of a trade-off anymore, you don’t have to choose between comfort and speed, or protection and fit – you can have it all, pretty much. The fabrics used in this kit stand up to the abuse of riding and washing, they fit well, and keep moisture off your body.

When I started out, the best rain jackets were those Gore-Tex things that flapped in the wind. I hate the feeling of fabric flapping in the wind, and it’s totally a thing of the past now.

The Rapha fit process was quite like visiting a tailor – I kind of knew what I wanted, but I also knew I could trust them to help me make decisions.

You had the first delivery of kit a couple of weeks ago – how are you finding it?
Yeah, but I waited until 1st January to wear it. I looked forward to it, because I’ve been working as a part of this team since the end of last season, but I haven’t looked the part. So I went for an easy spin, two and a half hours, in my new uniform. Going through my allocation, I realised how many bits of kit I’d forgotten about since the fitting. It’s extensive.

What’s the one bit of kit you can’t do without?
The winter tights. I’ll train in these until late April, or until the temperature starts pushing past 18C. I prefer these to leg warmers, as most pros do, because leg grippers and stitching can become an issue with the amount of miles we put in.

We’ve been doing a lot of work in the past couple of days, and it’s been quite warm, so most of us are wearing mid-weight jerseys, merino base layers, and tights. The high collars keep the wind off our necks. I’ve got a thicker jacket for the slower days, and a Team Sky Pro Gilet for the descents.

You’ve had a big couple of years, with a top-5 at La Vuelta, the overall at the Route du Sud, and many big days at the front of the peloton working for your team leaders. What do you have planned for the coming season?
I know my racing won’t be too far different from last year, although we haven’t ironed out all the details yet. I like being able to play different cards – stage poacher, team leader, super-domestique – and I’m happy to be as useful as possible. I work hard, and I take my chances when the time comes. This has worked well for me over the past couple of years.

It’s like anything in life: having a goal is important, no matter what that goal is. So, I adapt to what the team needs and manage my ego. I’ve got no problem sacrificing myself for the team.

Aside from your new kit, what’s in your race bag?
Headphones, always. We get well looked after, so almost everything we need is on the bus, so I just bring my headphones for the times when I want to hide in plain sight.

Right now, you’re a couple of days into a big training camp. How do you think you’ll feel by the end of it?
Apart from tired? I think I’ll feel almost ready to race. I’ve had a good winter, starting with big rides in November, targeted work in December, so this just feels like the next step. It’s not easy, not at all, but it’s a natural progession.

One of the two divisive questions of style: how long do you wear the hem of your shorts?
I need ‘long enough’ shorts – mine finish about 7cm above the middle of the knee, keeping the grippers away from the tendons that line the back of the joint. I can’t stand the feeling of tendons flexing underneath the grippers.

A 4:45am start is not how most people choose to begin a Sunday morning. Nevertheless, there was no shortage of enthusiasm as riders gathered in the Melbourne CBD at just that time on Sunday 11th January 2015. The reason? To ride 130km together to Buninyong for the Australian Men’s Road Race National Championship.

The morning air, despite the bleak forecast, was still, and, importantly, rain-free. Late night revellers occupied the streets. Transfer caps and patches were distributed, bananas eaten and bags off-loaded to the support vehicles. A last-minute emergency tyre change was effected.

Riders discussed predictions for the race. Would Cadel and Richie dominate? How long would friends, courageously racing against the pros, last? Would it rain? How hard would the Buninyong climb – which the race ascends a staggering 18 times – prove to be?

Others nervously sought reassurance regarding the intended route to the race. Gravel sectors had been omitted, given the torrential rain in the days preceding the ride. Glenmore Road or ‘Cut Hill’, infamous for its 20%-plus pinches and prominent inclusion in the “Hell of the West” club-level race, was incorporated. “I hope you brought your 28 cog” was a phrase quickly bandied around.

Following a quick briefing and introduction of ride leaders, the group departed, swiftly making its way out of the city, through Melbourne’s western suburbs and towards Ballarat. It was from Ballarat that we would take the train on our return journey to Melbourne, thus making the day a true Rapha Transfer Ride, but with the sun yet to rise, rabbits darted alongside the bike path used to circumvent the freight roads.

At the first comfort stop in Werribee, riders received home-made “seedy bars” and water, and relished the opportunity for a nature break given the extra-early start.

Conditions were ideal, the rain never came, and – extraordinarily – there was no headwind; the Melbourne to Ballarat handicap, currently in its 105th year, is renowned for its ferocious head and crosswinds, which have resulted in some racers vowing to never race it again.

As the bunch traversed the wide-open plains of Western Melbourne, friendships and degrees of separation were established: “I went to school with your sister-in-law”; “that’s the wheelset I manufacture – thanks for riding our wheels and wearing our kit”; “we ride together on the 6am loop.”

Traffic signs warned ‘Very Steep Climb’ as far as 13km in advance of the Glenmore Road climb – those who had previously ridden or raced knew what was approaching, while others were blissfully unaware. The group splintered. Those feeling strong sought to race to the summit, while those not feeling so brave either walked or made it harder for themselves by mistakenly ‘cutting’ the corner, thus encountering gradients exceeding 20%.

Once over the climb, a second rest point was relished. Jackets were adorned, as the wind had increased and cooled significantly. More seedy bars and cans of Coke were consumed. There was a rider or two in the support vehicles, either for express delivery to official feed-zone duties (Road Race not Transfer Ride) or having had enough on the bike for one day.

Four or so hours later, having collected their bags from the support vehicles, the riders arrived at the base of Mt Buninyong. They were again greeted by an air of anticipation. The race had commenced, traffic management blocked the road and police cars warned of approaching cyclists. It was on and the race was approaching us for the first ascent of the Buninyong KOM. Screams of encouragement, photographs and conversations regarding a need for coffee from the H-Van, dominated proceedings.

The peloton, containing one or two riders in Rapha Pro Team kit, roared past.

Once the team cars had passed, the group was permitted onto the climb, where riders sought their own glory, charging up the KOM climb a few minutes behind the race. Passionate fans lined the climb. BBQs, deckchairs, cowbells (and a Teletubby) contributed to the atmosphere.

Towards the summit of the KOM, the Rapha H-Van, tent and DJ awaited. Transfer caps were again distributed, creating a sea of green on the climb. Then the sirens, the police cars and the impending peloton were back, charging up the climb once more.

]]>0Guest Authorhttp://pages.rapha.cc/uncategorized-en_us/when-we-were-kings-22015-01-20T15:02:09Z2015-01-15T18:13:36Zth January at the Rapha Cycle Club Manchester, there will be the de rigueur food and drink plus a Q&A session with Oliver and Rouleurmagazine’s assistant editor Andy McGrath.]]>When We Were Kings is an exhibition of portraits and interviews with some of road racing’s greatest protagonists, by German artist Oliver Soulas. Opening this Friday 16th January at the Rapha Cycle Club Manchester, there will be the de rigueur food and drink plus a Q&A session with Oliver and Rouleurmagazine’s assistant editor Andy McGrath.

“It started with Rudi Altig. Two years ago I drove to his house with those normal interview questions going around my head:

‘Your most emotional moment in cycling?’

‘What do you think about doping?’

Then I realised that I’m not interested in those normal questions.

It appeared to me that it’s about what’s important in life, so questions like:

‘When were you last drunk?’

‘What do you sing in the shower?’

At first, it was just going to be four or five German cyclists. Then afterwards, Rudi said ‘do you need something else? You know, more riders?’ I reeled off the ones I wanted: Gimondi, Moser etc. There and then, he picked up his mobile phone and called Felice Gimondi – ‘ciao Felice, sono io Rudi’, and told him about me. And so it went.

Raphaël Géminiani offered Champagne,

Roger De Vlaeminck gave me homegrown potatoes,

Joop Zoetemelk provided coffee and cookies,

And Federico Bahamontes sat me in his Mercedes.

Over a period of two years 12 large format black and white portraits emerged, featuring many of the greatest riders of the 60s and the 70s. And an accompanying newspaper containing transcriptions of the interviews also emerged alongside the photographs.”

Opening party January 16th, 6pm-8pm

Exhibition runs between 16th January and 15th March 2015
Cycle Club Manchester
5 St. Ann’s Alley
Manchester
M2 7LP